Irwin Mitchell Builds On Its Position In 2021 Chambers HNW Guide

The publication of the 2021 Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) guide has seen Irwin Mitchell secure its rankings for another year, while seeing several individuals and departments recognised for the first time.

The major guide to private wealth management and legal ranks the top lawyers and law firms in the sector, allowing professional advisors to provide objective guidance to clients worldwide.

Irwin Mitchell retained its private wealth law rankings for Crawley and Surrounds, Reading and Surrounds, Southampton and Surrounds while Sheffield and Surrounds was a new entry.

Colleagues ranked in private wealth law include Caroline Shelton (Crawley and Surrounds), Andrea Jones (Leeds, Bradford and Surrounds) and Naomi Neville (Southampton and Surrounds).

London partner and international tax specialist Alex Ruffel, who heads the London Tax, Trusts and Estates team, was ranked for the sixth time while London saw a further important new ranking for Claire-Marie Cornford, who heads the fast-growing Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team in the firm’s London office.

Partners Sarah Phillips (Reading & Surrounds), and Gillian Coverley (Sheffield and Surrounds) also made the list, further demonstrating the national private client team's top-level performances across the country.

The firm was newly ranked for the North East & Yorkshire for private wealth disputes; plus individual rankings for Director of Legal Services (Private Client Services) Paula Myers and newly ranked partner James Laycock in the region. Director of Legal Services (Family) Ros Bever made the UK-wide Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth category, a testimony to her excellent reputation outside of London.

Partner and regional managing partner of the firm’s Chichester office Paula James was recognised in the South while senior associates Heather Roberts and Naomi Neville were both recognised in the Associates to Watch list.

Meanwhile for the firm’s Wealth Management arm the team was ranked for the first time in the Financial Planning & Pensions category, alongside some of the largest financial planning firms in the country.

Expert Opinion

“The Chambers HNW guide is the industry bible for private client and financial planning, so these rankings reflect our growing expertise and recognise the strong team and individual performances across the business.

“From private wealth law to disputes, we have a significant well of expertise across the country for our clients to draw on and to have secured many of our rankings while adding new ones is a testament to the effort that has been put in following what has been a challenging year for all.

“I want to pay tribute to all our colleagues who have contributed to our continued success and the efforts they continue to make to deliver successful outcomes for our clients.” Craig Marshall - Group Chief Executive Officer